Member Since: 24 Oct 2017
Location: Midlands
Posts: 106
Disco 4 GS ---> Retrofit Lenovo Tablet - Complete!
Hi chaps,
Thought I'd post my finished job of my satnav/tablet retrofit for my Disco 4 GS.
Wasn't anything particularly complicated - Just a bit of grinding with a dremel, and moving a few bits and bobs around, but childs play really.
I've attached a few photos below of my progress from start to finish.
If anyone has any questions on doing this, I'd be more than happy to help
1) Take lower dash off exposing lots of scary looking cables, and, in my case, a mouse nest!!
2) Remove air vents from left and right hand side:
3) Remove 'clock' and unplug. It still needs to remain plugged in though.. (see next photo)
4) Post cable through slot in right hand side of upper glove box (V tight fit) and plug clock back in.
Now facing forwards and mounted properly in the upper glove box.
5) Order new bezel for larger Disco 4 screen, however it WILL NOT FIT without some 'trimming':
6) These 'fins' have to be completely cut off:
7) I made/bent a bracket out of aluminium strips which I then used self tappers to attach the strips to the bezel:
8) Only bit of 'bodging' was finding a way to keep the top of the tablet pushing against the top of the dash, hence the bits of wood...(was all I could find in the garage)...
9) Aaaaaaaaaand with a bit of swearing, and cutting of the air vents..is the final product:
I do have one question though - It's currently being powered by a 3a cig lighter which works well, BUT, instead of it only charging when the ignition/car is on, to stop the tablet battery running out, would it be possible to connect the USB to a constant live (i.e. when the car is off, it's still charging the tablet battery) - I'm assuming that it wouldn't drain the car battery as the tablet battery is small, and would stop charging when at 100%?
I've currently got it charging from a piggy back connector in the fuse box near the glove box - Are any of those are a constant live...?
Cheers all,
Rob!
12th Jun 2018 11:47 am
Scott #55
Member Since: 15 Apr 2015
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 1665
I am in awe of people who have the skills to tackle this kind of thing.
I had to go for an HSE as there is no way I'd have the skill to do this.2014 - D4 2010 HSE Nara Bronze
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12th Jun 2018 12:35 pm
M4Rob1987
Member Since: 24 Oct 2017
Location: Midlands
Posts: 106
Thanks pal
It really wasn't that difficult though.
There is a definite moment of "oh sh*t" when you pull off big pieces of trim, but it all goes back together very simply.
Seriously, I had never tackled anything like this before, but with a bit of careful thinking and planning, it's really not that hard.
12th Jun 2018 12:38 pm
Narpy
Member Since: 18 Jul 2011
Location: Stockport
Posts: 7830
Doesn't the small screen, now removed, give you radio details on that model?
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12th Jun 2018 12:39 pm
M4Rob1987
Member Since: 24 Oct 2017
Location: Midlands
Posts: 106
I’ve now moved the screen so I can see it if needs be.
I don’t really ever listen to the radio, and if I do, it still works just fine/I’ve got a radio app on my tablet which picks up WAY more stations than my poverty spec radio can.
12th Jun 2018 12:44 pm
ecs0set
Member Since: 25 May 2017
Location: Dorset
Posts: 95
I think that's the "clock" that is moved to the glovebox.
Permanent live would be ideal as the biggest issue with tablets is the time taken to power up when starting the car. Perhaps fitting a battery brain which disconnects the charger if the car battery falls too low?
Member Since: 24 Oct 2017
Location: Midlands
Posts: 106
Yeah I have mine on airplane mode 90% of the time so it's always on 'sleep' mode and saves its battery for ages.
One of the best things about the Lenovo is the 'gestures' feature which means I can wake the tablet up from sleep by double tapping the screen, thus not needing any physical 'buttons' to press.
The issue I have though, is that if the tablet runs out of battery entirely, yes, as soon as I start the car it charges, but there's no way to turn it ON without pressing the power button...which is now tediously behind the dash...
Anyone got ANY ideas how I can attach it to a permanent live, so that it doesn't ever run out of battery?!
Battery Brain might be a worthwhile investment if I can get a perm live sorted.
12th Jun 2018 12:53 pm
ecs0set
Member Since: 25 May 2017
Location: Dorset
Posts: 95
Battery brain gives you the permanent live with a direct feed from the battery. However, if you want to test it, you can run a lead through the firewall to the battery or use a piggy back fuse holder on one of the fuses in the cabin fusebox that is permanently live (I haven't checked on the D4 but the horn tends to be always live).
12th Jun 2018 3:26 pm
M4Rob1987
Member Since: 24 Oct 2017
Location: Midlands
Posts: 106
Works in a similar way to the battery Brain (I think), but instead one end connects to the perm live and it monitors the battery and can be programmed to switch the +ve live off (when ignition/car isn't on) when either the battery reaches a certain level of charge remaining or after a set time period.
Perfect
12th Jun 2018 4:21 pm
CarlosLR
Member Since: 26 Jan 2012
Location: Madrid
Posts: 7
Great Job Rob.
Could you explain how do you remove the lower dash and the vents?
And another question. How do you switch on/off the tablet?
Thanks Carlos
4th Jul 2018 7:02 pm
Teacycle
Member Since: 27 Jun 2020
Location: Manchester
Posts: 1
Really impressed! May I know the model and size of the tablet? Wanna do the same! Could it be connected to a reverse camera?
27th Jun 2020 11:09 pm
pwheeldon
Member Since: 15 Jan 2020
Location: West Yorks
Posts: 1449
I am really wanting to so similar on my D3. But I want to be able to connect cameras.Discovery 4 GS 2009 Auto Stornoway Grey
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